Rock-drill



(No Moda.) 3 sheets-sheet 1.

U.' CUMM-INGS.-

ROCK DRILL Patented July 22; 1890.

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(No Model.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

U. GUMMINGS. 300K DRILL.

No; 432,794.' Patented July 22, 18.90.

` 3 Sheets-Sheet 3;

'(No Model.)

U. GUMMINGS.

ROCK DRILL Noi 432,794.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

URIAl-I CUMMINGS, OF NEV HAVEN, CONNECTICUT.

ROCK-DRILL.

SPECIFICATION forming part f Letters Patent NO. 432,794, dated July 22, 1890.

`Application filed March ll, 1890. Serial. No. 343,485. (No model.) 1

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, URIAH CUMMINGS, a citi- V Zen of the United States, residing at New Haven, in the county' of New I-Iaven and State of Connecticut, have invented new and useful Improvements in Rock-Drills, of which the following is a specication.

My invention relates to that class of rockdrilling machines which are provided with a reciprocating piston to the rod of which the drilling-tool is attached.

The objects of myinvention are to provide a simple valve mechanism whereby the point of cutoff can be changed so as to increase or `reduce the length of the piston-stroke; also,

to provide a light and simple drill-supporting frame which can be readilyadjusted; also, to provide a simple feed mechanism whereby the cylinder of the drill-actuating piston is automatically fed forward, while it can be readily returned; also, to provide several other novel features of construction, as will be hereinafter fully set forth, and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings, consisting of three sheets, Figure l is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional elevation of my improved rock-drill. Fig. l is a fragmentary top plan view thereof. Fig. 3 is a cross-section in line l l, Fig. l, on an enlarged scale. Fig. 4 is a horizontal section of the valve-casing and valve mechanism in line 2 2, Figfl, on an en' larged scale. Fig. 5 is a similar view of the valve-casing with lthe valve removed. is a plan view of the valve detached. Fig. 7 is a horizontal section of the drill-feed mechanism and connecting parts in line 3 3, Fig. l. Fig. 8 is a transverse section in line 4 4, Figs. 1 and 7. Fig. 9 is a similar view in line 5 5, Fig. l. Fig. 10 is a cross-section of the ratchet mechanism whereby t-he drill-bar and piston are rotated. Fig. 1l. is a cross-seetion in line 6 6, Fig. l, on an enlarged scale.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures. n v A represents the longitudinally-adjnstable frame, which is mounted in a yoke or saddle B, so thatit can be adjusted toward and from the work. The adjustable frame A is composed of two parallel side tubes or hollow bars a a', secured with their threaded ends Fig. G

in screw-sockets a2, formed on opposite sides of front and rear cross-bars a3 a, respectively, and two parallel intermediate guide rods or bars a5 a5, secured Vwith their ends to the cross-bars a3 a4 between the side tubes a a.

The yoke B lis provided with arched or outwardly and upwardly curved arms b, which terminate at their upper ends in longitudinal sleeves b', through which the tubes a a' pass, and in which they are movably secured by clamping-rings b2, as clearly represented in Fig. 3. These clamping-rings are arranged in pockets or openings formed in the sleeves midway of their length and opening downwardly. These rings surround the tubes a a and are provided with upwardly-projecting screw-stems b3. The latter pass through openings b4, formed in the sleeves, and are provided with clamping-nuts or screw-threaded levers b5, whereby the rings b2 are caused to tightly draw the tubes against the upper portions of the sleeves, and thereby secure the drill-frame against lengthwise displacement on the saddle. rlhis constructionpermits a considerable range of adjustment of the frame on the saddle toward and from the work by simply loosening the clampingrings and shifting the drill-frame andwithout shifting the position of the tripod or supporting-frame of the machine, whereby a great saving of time is effected, especially when the drill is used in tunneling and similar work. The saddle B is provided at its lower central portion with a circular or beveled base b, whereby itis secured to the tripod, column, or other support.

C represents theV drill-cylinder, arranged lengthwise between the tubes a a', and movably supported upon the guide-rods a5 a5 by laterally-projecting lugs c, formed on opposite sides of the lower frontand rear port-ions of the cylinder C. The lugs c are divided longitudinally at their outer ends, where they are provided with set-screws c', whereby they can be closed upon the guide-rods a5 to take y up wear.

D represents the piston arranged in the' looQ head (Z, and an intermediate reduced or connecting portion d2. The space between the latter and the cylinder-wall forms an annular inlet space or chamber c for the compressed air or other motive fluid.

e represents the inlet-openin g arranged in one side of the cylinder C and communieat;

attached with one end to the tube a in front of the saddle B and with its opposite end to the inlet-opening e', whereby communication y between the latter and the tube a and main supply-pipe e2 is established.

By connecting the main supply-hose with the tube d of theframe A and the tuoe a with the cylinder by the hose e5 the cylinder is relieved of the weight of the main hose,

whereby friction and wear on the parts and the power required to move the cylinder Jfori adapted to place the vertical passages Z5 m3 in ward and backward is greatly reduced.

F represents the valve-chamber, arranged resent similar intermediate iulet-po'rts which connect the central portion of the cylinder C with the valve-chamber F. The inlet-ports vlj are adapted to communicate with the rear portion of the cylinder through the valve and the port g', and the ports i and j with the front 'portion of the cylinder through the valveand the front port g.

7L represents a horizontal passage formed lengthwise on the front lower portion of the valve F', and connecting the inlet-ports t' and jwith the front induction-port g. h represents a similar passage formed on the lower portion of the Valve F, in rear of and inline with the passage Zz, and connecting the inletport t" with the rear induction-port g. k k represent similar passages vformed in the valve F', diametrically opposite the passages Zz,l 7L. The passage Zi is shorter than the passage h, and is adapted to connect the front ports g and j, and the passage 7c is longer than the passage 7i', and is adapted to connect the rear ports j', t', and g when the valve is turned, so that the'passages Zt' Zt register with their ports.

L' represents a longitudinal exhaust-passage formed on one side of the valve-chamber F, and communicating at its front endwith the valve-chamber by thetransverse exhaustports Z and m and at its rear end by similar ports Z m', as represented in Figs. et and 5.

- L represents the' main exhaust-opening formed on one side of the exhaust-passage about midway of its length.

Z2 Z3 represent vertical exhaust-passagesV connecting the forward end ofthe cylinder C with the valve-chamber F, and m2 m3 represent similar passages connecting the rear end of the cylinder with the valve-chamber F.

n n represent curved exhaust-passages Aformed on one side of the center of the valve'l F', opposite the transverse exhaust-ports Z Z and vertical passa-ges Z2 m2, respectively, and which are adapted to establish a communication between the vertical exhaust-passages P and m2 and the transverse exhaust-ports Z Z when the valve F is in the position shown in the drawings.

n2 n3 represent Vcurved exhaustpassages formed on the opposite side of the valveF, in advance of the passages 'n n and opposite the transverse exhaust-passages on 'm'l and vertical exhaust-passages Z3 m3, and which are communication with their respective exhaustports m 'mi' when the valve F is turned or reversed.

As clearly shown in Fig. 5, the front exhaust-port m and vertical exhaust-passage Z3 are arranged in advance ,of the exhaust-port Z and Vertical exhaust-passage Z2 in thefor- Ward end of the valve-chamber, andthe lex-l haust-port. m and vertical exhaust-passage m3 are arranged in advance ot' the exhaustport Z and vertical exhaust-passage m2 in the rear pcrtion ot' the valve-chamber. NVhen the valve is in the position represented in,

inlet-port i', passage h', and rear inductionport g. Then the piston is at the limit of its forward movement, ready to begin its return-stroke, as shown in Fig. l, the rear exinlet-ports i and j, leading to the front end of the cylinder, are open and the-front exhaust- IIO.

IZO

passage Z2 is closed by the front head (Z of the Compressed air will now pass from ports have been closed the exhaust-passage Z2 is opened, and at the same time that the latter is opening the inlet-port t', leading to the rear portion of the cylinder, is also opened by thev front portion of the rear head CZ of the piston, so as to allow compressed air to enter back of the piston. The latter continues its backward movement bythe momentum until the backward movement is arrested by cushioning against the increasing com pressed air. XVhen the piston is at the limit ofl its backward movement, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 1,-the rear exhaust-passage m2 is closed, the intermediate inlet-passage fZ, leading to the rear portion of the cylinder, is open, the intermediate inlet-ports 1l j, leading t0 the front portion of the cylinder, are closed, and the front exhaust-port Z2 is open. The coin pressed air back of the piston will now cause the latter to move forwardly. During this forward movement theintermediate inlet-port t" is closed by the rear head cZ of the piston, and as soon as this port is closed therear exhaust-passage m2 is opened, and at the same time that the latter is opening the inlet-port i, leading to the front portion of the cylinder, is also opened by the front head CZ of the piston, so as to allow compressed air' to pass to the front portion of the cylinder in front of the piston. The forward movement of the piston continues until it is arrested by cushioning against the incoming compressed air, when it is ready for the return-stroke.

When it is desired to shorten the stroke of the piston, so as to increase its speed and cause the drill to render quicker blows, as in starting a hole, the valve F is turned bythe handle f2 until the passages Zt k register with the inlet-ports g j and j z" g', respectively. This adjustment of the valve F causes the exhaust-passages Z2 and m2 to'be closed and the exhaust-passages Z3 and m3 to be placed in communication with the respective exhaust-ports m m andthe exhaust-passage L by the valve-passages n2 n3, respectively, and the front inlet-port Z to be closed and the rear inlet-port z" to remain open. In this position of the valve compressed air is admitted to the front portion of the cylinder through the front inlet-port j, passage Zt, and vfront inductionport g, and to the rear portion of the cylinder through the rear inlt-portsj t', passage Z5', and rear ind uction-port g. W'hen the piston is in the position indicated in Fig. l, ready to begin its backward movement, the inlet-port j is open, the front exhaust-port Z3 is closed, the rear inlet-ports j and 1l are closed, and the rear exhaust-port m3 is open 1t will now be apparent that the piston D will move backwardly only one-half the distance before its front head CZ will close the front inlet-port j and openthe front exhaust-port Z3, and its rear head CZ open the rear inlet-ports j t" and close the rear exhaust-port m3, whereby the piston will be reversed at about one-half of its former stroke both forwardly and backfwardly. The valve F( is allowed to remain in this position untilthe drilling-tool has entered the hole sufficiently to be guided therein, when the valve is shifted so as to cause the piston to make full strokes.

In my improved -valve -construction the valve is stationary and the compressed air or other actuating-duid is quickly directed to one side of the piston or the other without requiring the Amoving or shifting of the valve for this purpose, whereby the piston-speed is greatly increased. The points of cut-off and exhaust are shifted by simply turning or reversing the valve, which is an extremely simple operation and renders this mechanism very convenient in use.

P represents a spirally-grooved rod jou-rnaled in the rear head of the cylinder C and engaging with its front end in a'spiral socket in the rear head CZ of the piston.

p represents a ratchet-wheel secured to the outer end of the spiral rodP and arranged in a cap or casing p', secured to the outer side of the rear cylinder-head.

p2 represents pawls, whereby theratchetwheel is held against retrograde movement. This mechanism serves to rotate the vpiston and drill at each backward stroke in a wellknown manner.

Q represents the feed-cylinder arranged longitudinally underneath the drill-cylinder C, and secured at its front end in a threaded lug q, formed on the lower front portion of the cylinder C and supported about midway of its length in a loop q', formed on the lower rear portion of the cylinder C. Y

- R represents a stationary piston litt-ed snugly in the feed-cylinder Q, and R the piston-rod passing through a gland fr, and` secured with its rear end to the central lower portion of the rear cross-bar a4 by a screwnut o".

fr? is a screw-cap closing the front end of the cylinder Q.

s s represent longitudinal-passages formed in the piston-rod R and communicating on opposite sides of the rear portion of the pis- IOO ros

ton-rod R with the transverse passages s2 s3,

provided with stop-cocks S S. The latter are provided at their upper ends with handles r3, whereby they can be turned.

The passage s passes through the piston and opens into the i cylinder in front of the piston, and the passage 8 terminates immediatelyin rear of the piston R and opens into the cylinder in rear of the piston.

As represented in Figs. l and 8, t represents a transverse feed-passage formed in the lower portion of the cross-bar a4 and opening into the socket a2, connected with the main t5 represents the transverse inlet-passagesv of the stop-cocksS S', and t curved outlet or exhaust passages formed on one Side of the stop-cocks S S', and which are adapted ,to connect the .inner portions of the passages S2 s3 with exhaust-openings t7, formed in the casings ot' the cocks and leading to lthe outer ai-r. lVhen the drill-cylinder is in its rearward position on the lframe A, as shown in Figs. l

and 7, `and it is desired to feed the .same forwardly, the stop-cock S is turned so as to place its inlet-passage t5 in to register with ,the

transverse passage 32 and admit the compressed air from the latter through the longitudinal passage s .to the space o f the feedl cylinder Q in front of the piston R. The stopi cock S is then turned so thatitseXhaust-passage t registers with the transverse passage E s3 and exhaust-opening t7, whereby the space in the feed-cylinder in rear of the piston 1 is placed in 4communication with the outer;` air through thelongitudinal passage s', transverse passage 33, cock-exhaust passage t6, and the exhaust-passage t7. The compressed airl' in front of the piston no w, causes the feed-i cylinder to move forwardly, so as to feed the? drill-cylinder C and the drill. The speed of E this forward movementJ of the cylinder Q isf readily regulated by simply turning the stopi cock S so as to increase or diminish the size of the exhaust-orifice and control `the escape of the air from the cylinder in rear of thepiston. lVhen it is desi-red to return the cylinder Q to its normal position after the 'feed-k cylinder has been moved `to the limit of its; forward movement or at any other point, the

cock S is turned so as to allow the air in front of the piston to exhaust through the cockpassage t@ and exhaust-opening t7, and the cock S is turned to admit the compressed air to the space in rear of the piston, thereby moving the feed-cylinder and drill-cylinder backward to the point o f beginning. This backward movement of the cylinders is much more rapid than when a feed-screw is employed, whereby a great saving of time and labor is effected.

I prefer to employ compressed air as the motive power; but it is obvious that in its stead any other suitable Huid under pressure may be used.

' I claim as my inventionl. The combination, with a valve-chamber provided with different ports, of an adjustable stationary valve arranged in said chamber and provided n ith corresponding ports, whereby different ports in the Valve-chamber can be called into action at desire by adjusting the valve, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination, with a valve-chamber provided with en d ports and `witha plurality of intermediate ports for .each end port, of an adjustable stationary valve provided with longitudinal ports of diiferent length, whereby either of the intermediate ports can be placed in comm unicationwith theI corresponding end port by adjusting the valve, substantially as set forth.

3. The combination, with the cylinder provided witha .Gentraliuslet for the aetuatngf fluid and .with end ports and intennlediam ports, of .a .piston .provided with ,aeentmlesvity for the reception .of said fluid and ,an ,adjustable stationary valve provided with djiferent ports, Whelby the stroke of the pistqp can be .changed by v: .uljfustifng the valve, stantially asset forth.

4. The combination, with the supporting yoke or saddle, of a longitudinal .drigllfframe provided with parallel side bars, which .am adjustably secured tothe yokeorsaddzlaand with intermediate guidebars arranged parallel with the side bars, and a drillfcylinder movably supported on .the intermediateguidebars, substantially as set forth:

5. The combination, with the vsupporting yoke or saddle, ,of a longitudinal drill-frame provided with parallel side `bars, which are adj ustably secured to the yoke .orsaddla and with intermediate guidefbars arranged parallel with the 'side bars, adrill-cylinder mov.- ably supported on said intermediate guidebars, and feed mechanism connected with the drill-cylinder, whereby the latter is moved on the guide-bars, substantially as set forth.

6. The combination, with the supporting yoke provided with longitudinal txedsleeves, of a drill-frame having its side bars arranged adj nstably in said sleeves and .clampingsleeves Aarranged in said fixed sleeves and embracing the side bars4 of the drill-frame, whereby the latter is secured in place, substantially as set forth.

7. The combination, with the supportingyoke provided with longitudinal fixed sleeves having pockets opening through `the walls .of said sleeves, of a drill-frame having its side bars arranged adjustably in said sleeves and clamping-sleeves embracing the side bars of the drill-frame in said pockets vand provided with screw-Shanks and nuts, whereby the side bars of the frame are tightened against the sleeves of the yoke,substanti allyas set forth.

8. Thecombinat-ion, with the drill-cylinder, of a hollow supporting-frame, a fiexible pipe or hose connecting the hollow frame With the drill-cylind er, and a supply vpipe or hose connected with the hollow frame, whereby, ,the drill-cylinder is relieved from the weight .of the supply-pipe, substantially as set forth. 9. The combination, with the drill-cylinder and piston and its s upportingfframe, of a feed-cylinder and pistonJ whereby the drillcylinder is moved on the supporting-frame, substantially as s et forth.

l0. The combination, with the drill-cylinder and pi ston and its supporting-frame, of afeedpiston secured to said frame and a feed-cylinder secured to the drill-cylinder, substantially as set forth.

l1. The combination, with the drill-cylinder and piston and its supporting-fram e, of afeedcylinder secured to the drill-.cylinder and a feed piston and rodsecured to the frame and provided Awith longitudinal passages for the IOC) IIC)` actuating-duid opening into the feed-cylinder o n opposite sides of the piston, substantially as set forth.

'12. The combination, with the supportingframe, of a drill-cylinder movably mounted on said frame, a feed-cylinder attached to the drill-cylinder, a piston and rod arranged in said feed-cylinder and attached to the frame, Huid-passages formed in said piston and rod, and cocks arranged in said fluid-passages, wherebythe fluid-pressure can be admitted to or exhausted from either side of the feedpiston, substantially as set forth.

13; The combination, with the drill-cylin der and its hollow supporting-frame connected with a pipe through Which'the actuating-fluid enters the hollow frame, of a feed-cylinder attached to the drill-cylinder, a piston and rod secured to the hollow frame and arranged URIAH CUMMINGS. f

.Witnessesz CARL F. GEYER, F. C. GEYER. 

